Chapter 659: Chapter 659: Shen Siyi x Xie Suzhi (3)

The next day, when Shen Siyi woke up, the man in black was already gone.

He had even taken away the blood-stained bedsheets and tidied up the room.

Shen Siyi was satisfied.

’At least he’s sensible.’

A night of rain gave way to a clear sky and the morning sun. In the garden of the Qi Mansion, the autumn rain had knocked trembling blossoms from their branches, leaving them to float by the edge of a small pond.

The blossoms and leaves still clinging to the branches were washed sparkling new by the rain, and a fresh, pleasant scent drifted through the air.

Two young women walked into the garden side by side. Shen Siyi was dressed in orange, her eyes bright and stunning. Her very presence seemed to make the autumn scenery look even more faded by comparison, as she herself radiated the freshness of spring.

Beside her, Qi Jingchun was graceful and quiet, a reserved smile always gracing her fair, delicate face.

The two had come to admire the flowers. After walking for a while, they grew tired and sat down in a pavilion to enjoy some tea and pastries.

Qi Jingchun said, "I was terrified last night. You weren’t frightened, were you, Second Sister? I heard the intruder hasn’t been caught yet. It’s so scary. What do you think they came to the mansion for?"

Nibbling on a red bean pastry, Shen Siyi replied without a second thought, "Who knows? My brother is always bringing people back to the mansion for meetings. He might have provoked someone."

’Actually,’ Shen Siyi vaguely suspected, ’given his demeanor, he didn’t seem like some petty thief here to steal things.’

’And he had an accomplice, which means they came prepared. They were probably looking for something.’

Shen Siyi had heard that the court was investigating several military generals for corruption. Although her adoptive brother, Mr. Qi, was a civil servant, he was very close to a few of these military generals, and they were frequent guests at the Qi Mansion.

’Perhaps the Qi Mansion really is implicated, and they were here looking for evidence.’

Qi Jingchun looked very worried. "Second Sister, I’m really afraid the Qi Mansion will get dragged into the court’s recent corruption scandal. Because..."

She glanced around and lowered her voice. "If it really comes to that, knowing Mother’s personality, she’ll immediately marry us off to powerful men to secure the Qi Mansion’s position."

Mrs. Qi was far too desperate and ruthlessly ambitious.

Seeing Shen Siyi’s beauty, she schemed to marry her off to an old, lecherous nobleman as his eighteenth concubine.

And since Qi Jingchun’s looks were more ordinary, Mrs. Qi planned to groom her to be a widower’s second wife.

In short, as long as a suitor was powerful and of high rank, Mrs. Qi wouldn’t consider anything else, eager to use her two daughters to bolster the Qi Mansion’s influence.

Shen Siyi comforted her, "Don’t be afraid. If it really comes to that, I’ll take you away with me. This world is a vast place, and I’m very capable. You think there isn’t a place for the two of us in it?"

"Leave?" Qi Jingchun’s eyes were filled with uncertainty. "Without the Qi Mansion, could we really make it on our own?"

"Of course. You have to trust me."

At the thought of someone, Qi Jingchun’s expression slowly dimmed.

She said, "Second Sister, if you get the chance, you should escape. Don’t worry about me. You were taken in by Mother; you don’t owe the Qi Mansion anything. But I do. I’m afraid that if I left, Mother and my brother would get sick with anger."

Shen Siyi knew that was nonsense.

"Mother is a selfish person. Even if both of us disappeared, she’d be angry for a little while at most, but she wouldn’t be truly heartbroken. She’d be too busy finding new ’daughters’ to marry off for the sake of an alliance."

That was the truth, and Qi Jingchun knew it. But she was timid by nature and didn’t dare take any risks.

Seeing the vibrant energy in Shen Siyi’s expression as she spoke, she couldn’t help but feel envious.

"Second Sister, I wish one day I could be like you—decisive and fearless in the face of anything."

Shen Siyi smiled and took Qi Jingchun’s hand. "You will be. My dear Jing Chun, you’re actually a very thoughtful and sensitive person. Once you build up your courage and stop being afraid, you can definitely become someone who can stand on her own two feet."

Encouraged by her words, hope and courage rekindled in Qi Jingchun’s heart.

"You’re right, Second Sister! In the future, when I’m strong enough, I’ll be the one to protect you. Then, if Mother tries to oppress us again, she’ll be dreaming!"

Shen Siyi laughed. "Good. I’ll be waiting for that day."

It was time for Qi Jingchun’s zither practice. Mrs. Qi was extremely strict with her, demanding perfection in the four arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—so Qi Jingchun had to leave.

As she stood to bid Shen Siyi farewell, Shen Siyi happened to notice a smooth, lustrous Lotus Jade Pendant hanging from her waist.

’That design... ’ Shen Siyi thought, ’I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.’

Racking her brain, she recalled seeing it once before on King Shu, during the last palace banquet she and Qi Jingchun had attended with Mrs. Qi.

’Who would have thought,’ she mused, ’that my little sister and King Shu have similar taste. To have such a similar Jade Pendant.’

Shen Siyi didn’t think much of it.

「That night.」

A man stood waiting in a pavilion on a misty lake in the city.

A look of joy finally crossed the man’s face when a carriage slowly drew near and a young woman, her face hidden by a veiled bamboo hat, appeared.

"Jing Chun," King Shu waved.

Qi Jingchun glanced around before hurrying over. Blushing, she said, "Your Highness."

King Shu reached out to hug her, but Qi Jingchun quickly pushed him away.

"Don’t. My maid is over there; she’ll see. Your Highness... I’m afraid I won’t be able to see you for the next few days. Mother is watching me very closely. This is a handkerchief I embroidered myself. I hope Your Highness will carry it with you at all times."

Taking her handkerchief, King Shu gripped it tightly, his voice filled with reluctance. "I heard Mrs. Qi is forcing you to meet another suitor. That supervisor from the Secretariat... hasn’t he already had two wives die? And she still wants you to marry him?"

A sad expression crossed Qi Jingchun’s face. She turned to gaze at the dark surface of the lake, as if staring into her own bleak future.

"It’s true, but what can I do? Mother only sees that he comes from a noble family where everyone is powerful and high-ranking. She wants me to marry him to win their influence."

"Jing Chun," King Shu said, gripping her shoulders. "Come away with me. I’ll go to the Emperor and ask him to decree our marriage. Then you can return with me to Shu State, and you’ll never have to fear your mother’s schemes again."

Qi Jingchun quickly shook her head. "It’s easier said than done. Everyone says that you and Princess Shu are a deeply devoted couple. If I suddenly become a third party in your relationship, I’ll be scorned and condemned by everyone."

"Besides, if I were to marry you, what would happen to my Second Sister? In the Qi Mansion, we’re like two pieces of drifting duckweed, clinging to each other. Second Sister only endures Mother’s tyranny for my sake. I can’t just abandon her and leave."

King Shu frowned. "You mean Shen Siyi? She isn’t the Qi family’s biological daughter, after all. Mrs. Qi brought her home and gave her the life of a young lady; it’s only right that she should obey Mrs. Qi and repay the Qi Mansion with her value."

Qi Jingchun said nothing, clearly unconvinced.

She thought of Shen Siyi’s encouragement. ’If I could just be a little braver, maybe I could become someone who can stand on her own two feet, too.’

Mustering her courage, Qi Jingchun asked King Shu, "Your Highness, if I were willing to go with you, would you give up everything and run away with me? I want to bring my Second Sister along. Could the three of us find a place where no one knows us and live a peaceful life?"

"I don’t care about fame and fortune, nor do I want power and wealth. I just want to be with you. Then, my Second Sister could also find a good man whom she truly loves."

King Shu was shocked. "Jing Chun, are you mad? That idea is far too reckless. You must never think of it again. If I were to disappear, how could the Emperor rest easy? He would have me hunted down."

Sorrow clouded Qi Jingchun’s expression.

King Shu pulled her into a tight embrace. "I’m begging you, be a little more selfish. Just wait until Shen Siyi is married. I’ll take you away immediately and hide you somewhere safe. Trust me, just give me some time. I can definitely resolve the issue with the Princess Consort."

"Because she and I aren’t really in love. The person I love most is you, and only you."

The wind swept over the lake, creating dark ripples on its surface that seemed to spread into the depths of Qi Jingchun’s heart.

She began to sob, not pushing King Shu away this time.

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